Separate prizes in a lottery game

ABSTRACT

A process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game. The first prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game. The second prize is distinct from the first prize. In addition, the second prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. The process also indicates a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the second prize is at least the multiple of a potential prize distribution of the first prize.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure generally relates to the field of gaming. Moreparticularly, the disclosure relates to lotteries.

2. General Background

A lottery is generally a distribution of tokens such that a subset ofthe distributed tokens may win a prize. The token can be in the form ofa ticket. One of the most popular forms of lottery involves thedistribution of lottery tickets. Each lottery ticket includes a lotterynumber. After the lottery tickets have been distributed to the lotteryticket holders, the winning lottery number is chosen. The usual methodof selecting the winning lottery number generally involves a drawing.The drawing may be a random selection of the winning number. A randomnumber generator can be used to randomly select the winning number. Somelottery configurations require the ticket to have the entire number thatis randomly selected while other lottery configurations require theticket to have a subset of an ordered sequence of numbers that arerandomly selected.

Lotteries as normally utilized by jurisdictions reflect a pari-mutuelmodel in which the prize is funded by a portion of the ticket sales. Onepotential problem with the pari-mutuel model is that a sufficient numberof tickets need to be sold in order to provide a reasonable lotteryprize. However, interest in purchasing lottery tickets is generallystimulated only when the prize becomes substantial. For instance, alarge number of lottery tickets are purchased in ten million dollarlottery, but a disproportionately large number of lottery tickets arepurchased in a fifty million dollar lottery.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The processestablishes a first price category corresponding to a first prize in alottery game. The first prize funded from lottery ticket sales from thefirst price category. Further, the process establishes a second pricecategory corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game. The secondprize is distinct from the first prize. In addition, the second prize isfunded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category withoutfunding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Theprocess also indicates a predetermined multiple such that a potentialprize distribution of the second prize is at least the multiple of apotential prize distribution of the first prize. Further, the processdetermines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine boththe distribution of the first prize and the distribution of the secondprize. In addition, the process provides the distribution of the firstprize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lotteryticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the firstprice category. The process also provides the distribution of the secondprize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lotteryticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the secondprice category.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the process establishes a firstprice category corresponding to a first progressive jackpot prize in alottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticket sales fromthe first price category. Further, the process establishes a secondprice category corresponding to a second progressive jackpot prize inthe lottery game. The second progressive jackpot prize is distinct fromthe first progressive jackpot prize. In addition, the second progressivejackpot prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second pricecategory without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the firstprice category. The process also indicates a predetermined percentagesuch that a potential prize distribution of the first progressivejackpot prize is at most the predetermined percentage of a potentialprize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize. Further, theprocess maintains, upon the potential prize distribution of the firstprogressive jackpot prize becoming greater than the predeterminedpercentage of the potential prize distribution of the second progressivejackpot prize, the potential prize distribution of the first progressivejackpot prize. In addition, the process increments, after the potentialprize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize becomes lessthan the predetermined percentage of the potential prize distribution ofthe second progressive jackpot prize, the potential prize distributionof the first progressive jackpot prize based on the lottery ticket salesfrom the first price category. The process also determines a winninglottery number that is utilized for both the first progressive jackpotprize and the second progressive jackpot prize. Further, the processprovides a distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize to one ormore players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category.Finally, the process provides a distribution of the second progressivejackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have alottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased fromthe second price category.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. Theprocess establishes a first price category corresponding to a firstprogressive jackpot prize in a lottery game. The first progressivejackpot prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory. The process also establishes a second price categorycorresponding to a second progressive jackpot prize in the lottery gamesuch that a variable ratio is provided between the first price categoryand the second price category. The second progressive jackpot prize isdistinct from the first progressive jackpot prize. Further, the secondprogressive jackpot prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from thesecond price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales fromthe first price category. In addition, the process indicates apredetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of thesecond progressive jackpot prize is at least the predetermined multipleof a potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpotprize. The process also determines a winning lottery number that isutilized for both the first progressive jackpot prize and the secondprogressive jackpot prize. Further, the process provides a distributionof the first progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the oneor more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery numberthat is purchased from the first price category. In addition, theprocess provides a distribution of the second progressive jackpot prizeto one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticketwith the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second pricecategory.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The processestablishes a first price category corresponding to a first fixed prizein a lottery game, The first fixed prize is funded from lottery ticketsales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes asecond price category corresponding to a second fixed prize in thelottery game. Further, the second fixed prize is funded from lotterytickets sales from the second price category without funding from thelottery ticket sales from the first price category. In addition, thesecond fixed prize is greater in value than the first fixed prize. Theprocess also determines a winning lottery number that is utilized todetermine both the distribution of the first fixed prize and thedistribution of the second fixed prize. Further, the process providesthe distribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one ormore players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number thatis purchased from the first price category. Finally, the processprovides the distribution of the second prize to one or more players ifthe one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lotterynumber that is purchased from the second price category.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. Theprocess establishes a first price category corresponding to a firstprize in a lottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticketsales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes asecond price category corresponding to a second prize in the lotterygame. In addition, the second prize is funded from lottery tickets salesfrom the second price category without funding from the lottery ticketsales from the first price category. The second prize is greater invalue than the first prize. The process also determines a winninglottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution ofthe first prize and the distribution of the second prize. Further, theprocess provides the distribution of the first prize to one or moreplayers if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category.Finally, the process provides the distribution of the second prize toone or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticketwith the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second pricecategory.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The processestablishes a first price category corresponding to a first prize in alottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticket sales fromthe first price category. Further, the process establishes a secondprice category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game. Inaddition, the second prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from thesecond price category. The second prize is funded from lottery ticketsales from the first price category. Further, the second prize isgreater in value than the first prize. In addition, the processdetermines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine boththe distribution of the first fixed prize and the distribution of thesecond fixed prize. The process also provides the distribution of thefirst prize to one or more players having a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category.The distribution of the first prize is an intra-shared distribution ofthe first prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket withthe winning lottery number that is purchased from the first pricecategory includes multiple players. The process also provides thedistribution of the second prize to one or more players have a lotteryticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the secondprice category. The distribution of the second prize is an intra-shareddistribution of the second prize if the one or more players have alottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased fromthe second price category includes multiple players.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The processestablishes a first price category corresponding to a first progressivejackpot prize in a lottery game. The first progressive jackpot prize isfunded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further,the process establishes a second price category corresponding to asecond progressive jackpot prize in a lottery game such that a constantratio is provided between the first price category and the second pricecategory. The second progressive jackpot prize is funded from lotteryticket sales from the second price category. Further, the secondprogressive jackpot prize is distinct from the first progressive jackpotprize. In addition, the process establishes a third price categorycorresponding to a third progressive jackpot prize in the lottery gamesuch that a variable ratio is provided between the second price categoryand the third price category. The third progressive jackpot prize isfunded from lottery tickets sales from the third price category withoutfunding from the lottery ticket sales from the second price category,the third progressive jackpot prize being distinct from the firstprogressive jackpot prize and the second progressive jackpot prize. Inaddition, the process determines a winning lottery number that isutilized for the first progressive jackpot prize, the second progressivejackpot prize, and the third progressive jackpot prize. Further, theprocess provides a distribution of the first progressive jackpot prizeto one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticketwith the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first pricecategory. In addition, the process provides a distribution of the secondprogressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or moreplayers have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the second price category. Finally, the process providesa distribution of the third progressive jackpot prize to one or moreplayers if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the third price category.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. Theprocess establishes a first price category corresponding to a firstprize in a lottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticketsales from the first price category without funding from lottery ticketsales from a second price category corresponding to a second prize inthe lottery game. The process also establishes the second pricecategory. Further, the second prize is funded from lottery tickets salesfrom the second price category without funding from the lottery ticketsales from the first price category, the second prize being greater invalue than the first prize. In addition, the process determines awinning lottery number that is utilized to determine both thedistribution of the first prize and the distribution of the secondprize. The process provides the distribution of the first prize to oneor more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket withthe winning lottery number that is purchased from the first pricecategory. Finally, the process provides the distribution of the secondprize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lotteryticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the secondprice category.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The processestablishes a first price category corresponding to a first main prizeand a first secondary prize in a lottery game. The first main prize andthe first secondary prize are funded from lottery ticket sales from thefirst price category. The first main prize is greater than the firstsecondary prize. Further, the process establishes a second pricecategory corresponding to a second prize main prize and a secondsecondary prize in the lottery game. The second main prize and thesecond secondary prize are funded from lottery tickets sales from thesecond price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales fromthe first price category. The second main prize is greater in value thanthe second secondary prize. The second main prize is greater in valuethan the first main prize. The second secondary prize is greater invalue than the first secondary prize. Further, the process determines awinning lottery number that is utilized to determine a distribution ofthe first main prize, a distribution of the first secondary prize, adistribution of the second main prize, and a distribution of the secondsecondary prize. In addition, the process provides the distribution ofthe first main prize to one or more players if the one or more playershave a lottery ticket with a full match of the winning lottery numberthat is purchased from the first price category. The process alsoprovides the distribution of the first secondary prize to one or moreplayers if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a partialmatch of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the firstprice category. Further, the process provides the distribution of thesecond main prize to one or more players if the one or more players havea lottery ticket with a full match of the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the second price category. In addition, the processprovides the distribution of the second secondary prize to one or moreplayers if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a partialmatch of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the secondprice category.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become moreapparent with reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencenumerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a lottery prize structure that utilizes separateprizes.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a variety of configurations in which the prizesassociated with the price categories may be funded.

FIG. 2A illustrates a bidirectional funding independence configurationbetween the one dollar prize and the two dollar prize shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 2B illustrates a unidirectional funding independence configurationbetween the one dollar prize and the two dollar prize shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C illustrates an alternative unidirectional funding independenceconfiguration from that shown in FIG. 2B.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate configurations in which one or more conditionsmay be utilized to ensure that the one dollar prize is less than the twodollar prize.

FIG. 3A illustrates a lottery prize configuration in which apredetermined multiple is indicated.

FIG. 3B illustrates the lottery prize configuration of FIG. 3B in whichthe predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize withrespect to a two dollar prize that is a fixed prize.

FIG. 3C illustrates the lottery prize configuration of FIG. 3B in whichthe predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize withrespect to a two dollar prize that is a progressive prize.

FIG. 3D illustrates the lottery prize configuration of FIG. 3B in whichthe predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize that is arollover with respect to a two dollar prize that is a progressive prize.

FIG. 4 illustrates a lottery prize structure with both a constant ratioand a variable ratio.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process that may be utilized to provide theseparate prizes for the lottery game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Configurations are disclosed to provide separate prizes for a lotterygame. The separate prizes may be provided for a single lottery drawing.Further, each of the separate prizes may be associated with a distinctprice category. In one embodiment, a higher price category ensures thatthe player has the ability to win a higher potential jackpot prizedistribution than a lower price category. Without this assurance, alower price category may potentially result in a higher jackpot prizethan a higher price category. For example, if one hundred thousandlottery players purchase a one dollar lottery ticket and only fivethousand lottery players purchase a two dollar lottery ticket, the prizedistribution in a pari-mutuel lottery may be greater for the one dollarlottery ticket, e.g., at least a portion of revenue of one hundredthousand dollars, than for the two dollar lottery ticket, e.g., at leasta portion of revenue of ten thousand dollars. As a result, thisassurance helps incentivize lottery players to purchase the higherpriced lottery tickets. By increasing sales of the higher price lotterytickets, the lottery operator can provide much larger lottery prizesthan would otherwise be possible and, thereby, increase more overallinterest in the lottery.

FIG. 1 illustrates a lottery prize structure 100 that utilizes separateprizes. In one embodiment, the prizes are separate in that ticket salesrevenue from one price category does not fund the prize for a separateprice category. For example, the lottery prize structure 100 may have aprice category indicator 102 and a prize indicator 104. Accordingly, aparticular prize may be associated with a particular price category. Asan example, a one dollar price category 106 may be associated with a onedollar prize 110, and a two dollar prize category may be associated witha two dollar prize 112. The one dollar prize 110 and the two dollarprize 112 may be a variety of different types of prizes such as fixedprizes, jackpot, and/or progressive prizes. Further, the one dollarprize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 may each have a different type ofprize. For example, the one dollar prize 110 may be a progressivejackpot prize while the two dollar prize 112 is a fixed prize. In theillustrated example, the one dollar prize 110 is a fixed prize with avalue of one million dollars while the two dollar prize 112 is a fixedprize with a higher value of three million dollars. By providing ahigher prize for the higher priced ticket, a player may be incentivizedto purchase the higher priced lottery ticket. The number of pricecategories and corresponding prizes is not limited to the twoillustrated in FIG. 1, which is provided merely as an example.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a variety of configurations in which the prizesassociated with the price categories may be funded. Accordingly, FIG. 2Aillustrates a bidirectional funding independence configuration 200between the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 shown inFIG. 1. In other words, the one dollar prize 110 may be funded by all,or a portion, of one dollar ticket sales 202 for a lottery game.However, the one dollar prize 110 may not be funded by any portion oftwo dollar ticket sales 204 for the same lottery game. Further, the twodollar prize 112 may be funded by all, or a portion, of the two dollarticket sales 204 for the lottery game. However, the two dollar prize 112may not be funded by any portion of the one dollar ticket sales 202 forthe same lottery game.

The bidirectional funding independence does not prevent external fundingfrom other sources, or potentially additional price categories. Forexample, a portion of revenue generated from a different game, e.g., araffle game, may be utilized to help fund the one dollar prize 110and/or the two dollar prize 112. Further, an additional three dollarprice category may be utilized to fund the one dollar prize 110 and/orthe two dollar prize 112.

In one embodiment, the bidirectional funding independence also appliesto rollover from previous lottery games. For example, if in a previouslottery game the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 havenot been won, the respective tickets sales, or a portion thereof, fromeach of those prizes may be utilized to help fund the correspondingprize. However, a portion of the rollover may not be utilized to helpfund a prize that does not correspond to the price category from whichticket sales revenue was generated. For example, ticket sales revenue,or a portion thereof, from a rollover of the one dollar prize 110 in aprevious lottery game may be utilized to fund the one dollar prize 110,but not the two dollar prize 112, in a current lottery game. Further,ticket sales revenue, or a portion thereof, from a rollover of the twodollar prize 112 in a previous lottery game may be utilized to fund thetwo dollar prize 112, but not the one dollar prize 110, in a currentlottery game.

In an alternative embodiment, the bidirectional funding independence maybe applicable to a current lottery game, but not to rollover fromprevious lottery games. For example, the one dollar prize 110 may befunded by all, or a portion, of one dollar ticket sales 202 for acurrent lottery game, but not any portion of two dollar ticket sales 204for the same lottery game, and vice versa for the two dollar prize 112.However, a portion of the rollover may be utilized to help fund a prizethat does not correspond to the price category from which ticket salesrevenue was generated. For example, ticket sales revenue, or a portionthereof, from a rollover of the one dollar prize 110 in a previouslottery game may be utilized to fund the one dollar prize 110 and/or thetwo dollar prize 112 in a current lottery game. Further, ticket salesrevenue, or a portion thereof, from a rollover of the two dollar prize112 in a previous lottery game may be utilized to fund the two dollarprize 112 and/or the one dollar prize 110 in a current lottery game.

In one embodiment, a single lottery drawing is provided to determine awinning lottery number. For example, one lottery number may be randomlygenerated, e.g., utilizing a ball hopper, and may be utilized todetermine both the distribution of the one dollar prize 110 and the twodollar prize 112. If a lottery ticket having the winning lottery numberthereon was purchased from the one dollar price category 106, thelottery player wins the one dollar prize 110. If the lottery tickethaving the winning lottery number thereon was purchased from the twodollar price category 108, the lottery player wins the two dollar prize112.

In one configuration, the lottery player may purchase a lottery ticketwith a single lottery number from multiple price categories. Forexample, the lottery player may purchase a lottery ticket for a total ofthree dollars so that he or she may win both the one dollar prize 110and the two dollar prize 112 if the lottery number on the lottery ticketis drawn in the lottery drawing. In an alternative configuration, thelottery player may purchase the lottery ticket from only one pricecategory and, thereby, have the possibility of winning only the prize,or prizes, corresponding to that price category. In an alternativeconfiguration, a lottery number may be drawn in the same lottery gamefor each of the price categories. For example, one lottery number may bedrawn for the one dollar price category 106 and another lottery numbermay be drawn for the two dollar price category 108. In yet anotherconfiguration, a single lottery number may be drawn for a group of pricecategories and another single lottery number may be drawn for anothergroup of price categories. Each group may include one or more pricecategories. For example, a single lottery number may be drawn for theone dollar price category 106 and the two dollar price category 108, buta different lottery number may be drawn for a three dollar pricecategory. In another configuration, separate lottery numbers may bedrawn for each of the price categories.

In another embodiment, multiple players may potentially have the samelottery number that is drawn. In this instance, an intra-sharingdistribution may be utilized to distribute the prize corresponding to aprice category to multiple winners that purchased lottery tickets withthe winning lottery number from that particular price category. As anexample, if one winner purchased a lottery ticket from the one dollarprice category 106 and another winner purchased a lottery ticket fromthe two dollar price category 108, no sharing is utilized as the winnerthat purchased the lottery ticket from the one dollar price category 106wins the one dollar prize 110, e.g., one million dollars, and the winnerthat purchased the lottery ticket form the two dollar price category 108wins the two dollar prize 112, e.g., three million dollars. However, ifthe two winners both purchased their lottery tickets from the one dollarprice category 106, the two winners would share the one million dollars.In one configuration, the intra-sharing is an equal distribution. Forinstance, the two winners would each receive half of the one dollarprize 110, e.g., five hundred thousand dollars each. In anotherconfiguration, the intra-sharing is an unequal distribution. The unequaldistribution may be determined by one or more factors. An example of afactor is time of purchase of the lottery ticket. In other words, thelottery player that purchases the lottery ticket earlier in timereceives the larger portion of the prize. These factors may be utilizedto incentivize potential lottery players to purchase lottery tickersearlier than otherwise. As a result, a lottery may be able to betterincrease the size of a lottery prize. For example, the winner thatpurchased the earlier ticket may receive seventy five percent of the onedollar prize 110, e.g., seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, incontrast to the winner that purchased the later ticket that may receiveonly twenty five percent of the one dollar prize 110, e.g., two hundredfifty thousand dollars.

A lottery may choose not to utilize an intra-sharing distribution. Forexample, the lottery may decide to pay out the same prize amountmultiple times to different winners. If an intra-sharing distribution isnot utilized, the lottery may impose a limit on the number of playersthat may win at the same time to avoid multiple payouts that areexcessive. In one embodiment, the limit may allow for a sharing formulafor all winners. In another embodiment, the limit prevents additionalwinners over the limit from winning a prize or portion of a prize.

FIG. 2B illustrates a unidirectional funding independence configuration210 between the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 shownin FIG. 1. In other words, the one dollar prize 110 may be funded byall, or a portion, of one dollar ticket sales 202 for a lottery game andall, or a portion, of two dollar ticket sales 204 for the same lotterygame. However, the two dollar prize 112 may be funded by all, or aportion, of the two dollar ticket sales 204 for the lottery game, butmay not be funded by any portion of the one dollar ticket sales 202 forthe same lottery game. In one embodiment, other resources such asadditional price categories or revenues from different games may beutilized to fund the one dollar prize 110 and/or the two dollar prize112. The rollover configurations discussed may also be utilized inconjunction with the funding independence configuration 210.Accordingly, a rollover configuration may allow for bidirectionalindependence, unidirectional independence, or neither even though theconfiguration for the current lottery game may be unidirectionalindependence.

FIG. 2C illustrates an alternative unidirectional funding independenceconfiguration 220 from that shown in FIG. 2B. For example, the twodollar prize 112 may be funded by all, or a portion, of two dollarticket sales 204 for a lottery game and all, or a portion, of one dollarticket sales 202 for the same lottery game. However, the one dollarprize 110 may be funded by all, or a portion, of the one dollar ticketsales 202 for the lottery game, but may not be funded by any portion ofthe two dollar ticket sales 204 for the same lottery game. In oneembodiment, other resources such as additional price categories orrevenues from different games may be utilized to fund the one dollarprize 110 and/or the two dollar prize 112. The rollover configurationsdiscussed may also be utilized in conjunction with the fundingindependence configuration 220. Accordingly, a rollover configurationmay allow for bidirectional independence, unidirectional independence,or neither even though the configuration for the current lottery gamemay be unidirectional independence.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate configurations in which one or more conditionsmay be utilized to ensure that the one dollar prize 110 is less than thetwo dollar prize 112. FIG. 3A illustrates a lottery prize configuration300 in which a predetermined multiple is indicated. The predeterminedmultiple is utilized such that the two dollar prize is at least amultiple of the one dollar prize 110. A predetermined percentage mayalso be utilized to express the predetermined multiple. In other words,a predetermined percentage may be indicated such that the one dollarprize 110 is at most a percentage of the two dollar prize 112. Forexample, a predetermined percentage of thirty three and one thirdpercent may be established. Accordingly, the one dollar prize 110 can atmost be thirty three and one third percent of the two dollar prize 112.If the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 are both fixedprizes, the predetermined percentage may be established at the outsetand will be maintained thereafter because the fixed prize does notchange in value. As an example, the predetermined percentage may beindicated to be thirty three and one third percent so that if a twodollar prize 112 is a fixed prize in the amount of three milliondollars, a one dollar prize 110 may be at most one million dollars. Theone dollar prize 110 may be provided as a fixed prize in an amount suchas one million dollars. Alternatively, the one dollar prize 110 may beprovided as a progressive prize that can increase up to a maximum of onemillion dollars. In the illustrated example in FIG. 3A, the one dollarprize 110 is a progressive prize that is currently at five hundredthousand dollars, which is less than thirty three and one third percentof the two dollar prize 112, which is a fixed prize having a value ofone million dollars.

FIG. 3B illustrates the lottery prize configuration 300 of FIG. 3B inwhich the predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize 110with respect to a two dollar prize 112 that is a fixed prize. In theexample discussed above, the one dollar prize 110 may increase from fivehundred thousand dollars to one million dollars. Since the two dollarprize 112 is a fixed prize of three million dollars in the example, theone dollar prize 110 may reach one million dollars, but may not beincremented above the one million dollars. Since the two dollar prize112 is a fixed prize of three million dollars, the two dollar prize 112in the current lottery does not increase above a three million dollarprize. Accordingly, one million dollars is the maximum prize for the onedollar prize 110 in this configuration. Any additional funds fromlottery ticket sales may be utilized in whole, or in part, to help fundthe one dollar prize 110 and/or the two dollar prize 112 in whole, or inpart.

In one configuration, the one dollar prize 110 value is maintained oncethe one dollar prize 110 value reaches the predetermined percentage. Inanother configuration, the one dollar prize 110 value is maintained oncethe one dollar prize 110 value surpasses the predetermine percentage. Inyet another configuration, either reaching or surpassing thepredetermined percentage triggers the maintenance of the one dollarprize 110. For example, depending on the lottery systems, the sales datamay be received in groups of tickets sold. Therefore, sales dataindicating that nine hundred ninety thousand dollars of tickets weresold may be received, and the next batch of sales data may indicate thatone million five dollars of tickets were sold. An automatic triggeringsystem may be utilized to detect the reaching and/or surpassing of thepredetermined percentage. Further, a maintenance system, which may bethe same as or distinct from the automatic trigger system, maintains theone dollar prize 110 value if the predetermined percentage is detectedto be reached and/or surpassed.

Further, FIG. 3C illustrates the lottery prize configuration 300 of FIG.3B in which the predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollarprize 110 with respect to a two dollar prize 112 that is a progressiveprize. In the example discussed above, the prize value of thepredetermined percentage may change if the two dollar prize 112 is aprogressive prize. For instance, if the two dollar prize 112 increases(as a result of ticket sales depending on bidirectional fundingindependence, unidirectional funding independence, or neither asdiscussed above) to a value of four hundred fifty thousand dollars, thepredetermined percentage of thirty three and one third percent allowsthe one dollar prize 110 that is a progressive prize to increase to onemillion five hundred thousand dollars. As the two dollar prize 112increases, the resulting monetary value allowed for the one dollar prize110 also increases. Further, the value of the one dollar prize 110 maybe maintained at the maximum value until the two dollar prize 112increases to a sufficient amount that allows the one dollar prize 110 tobe increased within the predetermined percentage.

An example of the lottery prize configuration 300 illustrated in FIG. 3Binvolves the one dollar prize 110 having a value of five hundredthousand dollars and the two dollar prize 112 having a value of threemillion dollars. If the one dollar prize 110 increases up to one milliondollars while the two dollar prize 112 has not changed in value, the onedollar prize 110 is maintained for a time period. For example, the timeperiod may be the time it takes the two dollar prize 112 to large enoughso that the one dollar prize 110 is less than or equal to thirty threeand one third percent of the two dollar prize 112. In anotherembodiment, the time period is a predetermined time period for which theone dollar prize 110 value is maintained to give the two dollar prize112 sufficient time to accumulate so that the one dollar prize 110 valuedoes not go through a series of numerous iterations in which it must bemaintained as opposed to being allowed to increment. For example, theone dollar prize 110 may be maintained for a predetermined time periodof one hour when the one dollar prize value 110 reaches or surpasses thepredetermined percentage.

Further, FIG. 3D illustrates the lottery prize configuration 300 of FIG.3B in which the predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollarprize 110 that is a rollover with respect to a two dollar prize 112 thatis a progressive prize. If in a previous lottery game, the two dollarprize 112 was won by a player, the two dollar prize 112 may start off ina current lottery game with no value or with a value that is less thanthe one dollar prize 110, which may receive a rollover from the previouslottery game. Accordingly, the one dollar prize 110 value may bemaintained from the very beginning of a current lottery game to allowthe two dollar prize 112 to accumulate sufficiently so that the onedollar prize 110 value is less than the predetermine percentage.Alternatively, the one dollar prize 110 may be won in a previous lotterygame. In that event, the two dollar prize 112 may have a rollover, andno maintenance of the one dollar prize 110 is needed at the beginning ofticket sales for the current lottery game.

The lottery prize structure 100 in FIG. 1 may be implemented with avariable ratio based system or a constant ratio based system. Asillustrated, the lottery prize structure 100 utilizes a variable ratiobased system. For example, a lottery ticket that has a winning lotterynumber thereon and that is purchased from the one dollar price category106 may allow a lottery player to win the one dollar prize 110 of onemillion dollars. However, a lottery ticket that has a winning lotterynumber thereon and that is purchased from the two dollar price category108 may allow a lottery player to win the two dollar prize 112 of threemillion dollars. A first association between the one dollar pricecategory 106 and the one dollar prize 110 of one million dollars can bethe quotient of one million divided by one, which equals one million.Further, a second association between the two dollar price category 108and the two dollar prize 112 of three million dollars can be thequotient of three million divided by two, which equals one million fivehundred thousand. A variable ratio exists because the first associationdoes not equal the second association. In one embodiment, this variableratio provides the lottery player with incentive to purchase a twodollar lottery ticket. In one embodiment, the lottery player canpurchase the two dollar ticket as opposed to two one dollar lotterytickets because the potential distribution is greater by purchasing thetwo dollar lottery ticket as opposed to the two one dollar lotterytickets. As a result, the variable ratio configuration induces purchaseof a higher priced lottery ticket.

Alternatively, the lottery prize structure 100 may utilize a constantratio based system. For example, the one dollar prize 110 may allow apotential prize distribution of one million dollars whereas the twodollar prize 112 may allow a potential prize distribution of two milliondollars. Accordingly, a lottery ticket that has a winning lottery numberthereon and that is purchased from the one dollar price category 106 mayallow a lottery player to win the one dollar prize 110 of one milliondollars. Further, a lottery ticket that has a winning lottery numberthereon and that is purchased from the two dollar price category 108 mayallow a lottery player to win the two dollar prize 112 of two milliondollars. A first association between the one dollar price category 106and the one dollar prize 110 of one million dollars can be the quotientof one million divided by one, which equals one million. Similarly, asecond association between the two dollar price category 108 and the twodollar prize 112 of two million dollars can be the quotient of twomillion divided by two, which equals one million. A constant ratioexists when the first association equals the second association. In oneembodiment, a lottery player can purchase one two dollar lottery ticketas opposed to two one dollar lottery tickets to avoid having to purchasemultiple tickets.

A lottery prize structure may also be implemented with both constant andvariable ratios. FIG. 4 illustrates a lottery prize structure 400 withboth a constant ratio and a variable ratio. As an example, the lotteryprize structure 400 may have a price category indicator 402 for a onedollar price category 406, a two dollar price category 408, and a threedollar prize category 410. Further, the lottery prize structure 400 mayhave a prize indicator for a one dollar prize 412 that corresponds tothe one dollar price category 406 and has a value of one milliondollars, a two dollar prize 414 that corresponds to the two dollar pricecategory 408 and has a value of two million dollars, and a three dollarprize 416 that corresponds to the three dollar price category 410 andhas a value of six million dollars. A constant ratio exists between thefirst price category 406 and the second price category 408 because afirst association between the one dollar price category 406 and the onedollar prize 412 of one million (one million divided by one) equals asecond association between the two dollar price category 408 and the twodollar price category 408 of one million (one million divided by one).Further, a variable ratio exists between the second price category 408and the third price category 410 because the second association of onemillion does not equal a third association between the three dollarprice category 410 and the three dollar price category 410 of twomillion (six million divided by three). In addition, a variable ratioexists between the first price category 406 and the third price category410 because the first association of one million does not equal thethird association of two million.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process 500 that may be utilized to provide theseparate prizes for the lottery game. At a process block 502, theprocess 500 establishes a first price category corresponding to a firstprize in a lottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticketsales from the first price category. Further, at a process block 504,the process 500 establishes a second price category corresponding to asecond prize in the lottery game, the second prize distinct from thefirst prize. The second prize is funded from lottery tickets sales fromthe second price category without funding from the lottery ticket salesfrom the first price category. In addition, at a process block 506, theprocess 500 indicates a predetermined multiple such that a potentialprize distribution of the second prize is at least the multiple of apotential prize distribution of the first prize. The process 500 alsodetermines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine boththe distribution of the first prize and the distribution of the secondprize. Further, the process 500 provides the distribution of the firstprize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lotteryticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the firstprice category. In addition, the process 500 provides the distributionof the second prize to one or more players if the one or more playershave a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchasedfrom the second price category.

In one embodiment, a lottery operator may receive a guarantee from aprize guarantor. In other words, the prize guarantor assumes the riskfor paying a prize if the allocable prize portion of ticket sales is notsufficient for prize payout. The guarantee may be received prior toticket sales in the lottery.

In one embodiment, the prize guarantor may provide the guarantee inexchange for a stipulation. In one embodiment, the stipulation caninclude an obligation by the lottery operator to provide a percentage ofrevenue generated from future ticket sales in exchange for theguarantee. In another embodiment, the stipulation includes an obligationby the lottery operator to provide a fee in exchange for the guarantee.The fee may be a predetermined percentage of ticket sales or apredetermined amount.

In another embodiment, the lottery operator may provide itself with aguarantee. In other words, the lottery operator may also be the prizeguarantor. In yet another embodiment, the lottery operator may provideits own guarantee for one prize, e.g., the one dollar prize 110, andobtain a guarantee from a third party prize guarantor for another prize,e.g., the two dollar prize 112.

The guarantee may be based on the sufficiency of the portion of lotterytickets sales allocated for prize payout with respect to the size of theprize at the time of the payout. The portion of lottery ticket sales maydepend on the type of configuration, e.g., bidirectional fundingindependence, unidirectional funding independence, or neither, that isutilized. For example, a bidirectional funding independence would allowa guarantee for the one dollar prize 110 based only on ticket sales fromthe one dollar price category 104. However, a unidirectional fundingindependence may allow for a guarantee for the one dollar prize based onboth ticket sales from the one dollar price category 104 and the twodollar price category 106 if the unidirectional funding independenceallows the one dollar prize 110 to be funded by the two dollar pricecategory 106. If neither bidirectional funding independence orunidirectional funding independence is utilized, then the guarantee maybased on tickets sales from both price categories.

In yet another embodiment, the prize configurations described herein maybe utilized with games that have both a main prize and a secondaryprize. A main prize may be associated with a full match whereas asecondary prize, which is of a lesser value, may be associated with apartial match. For example, a player with a lottery ticket having a fullmatch for seven of seven digits may win a main prize whereas a play witha lottery ticket have a partial match, e.g., six of seven digits, maywin a secondary prize. Accordingly, the value of the main prizes andsecondary prizes may be established according to the price categories asdescribed herein. For example, a one dollar price category may allow fora main prize that is less than the main prize for a two dollar pricecategory, but more than the secondary prize for the one dollar pricecategory. The main prizes and/or secondary prizes may be pari-mutuelbased, fixed, jackpot, progressive, etc.

Intra-sharing may or may not be utilized in conjunction with thesecondary prize distributions. If a lottery determines not to utilizeintra-sharing for secondary prizes, a limit as discussed above may beimposed by the lottery.

The principles discussed above may be utilized in the format of amultiple, percentage, monetary value, or any other format to ensure thatthe size of the one dollar prize 110 is constrained with respect to thesize of the two dollar prize 112. Further, the number of pricecategories is not intended to be limited to two or three pricecategories. The number of price categories described herein is providedmerely for illustrative purposes. Accordingly, larger number of pricecategories may be utilized. Further, a variety of partial matches andassociated secondary prizes may be utilized for a given price category.

It is understood that the processes described herein may also be appliedin other types of systems. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of theprocesses described herein may be configured without departing from thescope and spirit of the present method and system. Therefore, it is tobe understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the presentmethod and apparatus may be practiced other than as specificallydescribed herein.

1. A method comprising: establishing a first price categorycorresponding to a first prize in a lottery game, the first prize fundedfrom lottery ticket sales from the first price category; establishing asecond price category corresponding to a second prize in the lotterygame, the second prize distinct from the first prize, the second prizebeing funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price categorywithout funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory; indicating a predetermined multiple such that a potentialprize distribution of the second prize is at least the multiple of apotential prize distribution of the first prize; determining a winninglottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution ofthe first prize and the distribution of the second prize; providing thedistribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one ormore players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number thatis purchased from the first price category; and providing thedistribution of the second prize to one or more players if the one ormore players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number thatis purchased from the second price category.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price categoryand the second price category.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein aconstant ratio is established between the first price category and thesecond price category.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first prizeis a jackpot prize.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second prizeis a jackpot prize.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first prize isa progressive prize.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second prizeis a progressive prize.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstprize is a fixed prize.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondprize is a fixed prize.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving a guarantee of payment for the first prize prior to thelottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guaranteeensuring that the first prize will be paid even if a portion of thelottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prizepayment is less than the first prize at the time of prize payout. 11.The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a guarantee ofpayment for the second prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from thesecond price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second prize willbe paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the secondprice category allocated for prize payment is less than the second prizeat the time of prize payout.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein thedistribution of the first prize is an intra-shared distribution of thefirst prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the first price categoryincludes multiple players.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein theintra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the first prize.14. The method of claim 12, wherein the intra-shared distribution is anunequal distribution of the first prize such that a higher distributionis provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.15. The method of claim 1, wherein the distribution of the second prizeis an intra-shared distribution of the second prize if the one or moreplayers having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the second price category includes multiple players. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the intra-shared distribution is anequal distribution of the second prize.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of thesecond prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a playerwith an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.
 18. A method comprising:establishing a first price category corresponding to a first progressivejackpot prize in a lottery game, the first prize funded from lotteryticket sales from the first price category; establishing a second pricecategory corresponding to a second progressive jackpot prize in thelottery game, the second progressive jackpot prize distinct from thefirst progressive jackpot prize, the second progressive jackpot prizebeing funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price categorywithout funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory; indicating a predetermined percentage such that a potentialprize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize is at most thepredetermined percentage of a potential prize distribution of the secondprogressive jackpot prize; maintaining, upon the potential prizedistribution of the first progressive jackpot prize becoming greaterthan the predetermined percentage of the potential prize distribution ofthe second progressive jackpot prize, the potential prize distributionof the first progressive jackpot prize; incrementing, after thepotential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prizebecomes less than the predetermined percentage of the potential prizedistribution of the second progressive jackpot prize, the potentialprize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize based on thelottery ticket sales from the first price category; determining awinning lottery number that is utilized for both the first progressivejackpot prize and the second progressive jackpot prize; and providing adistribution of the first progressive jackpot prize to one or moreplayers if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category;and providing a distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize toone or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticketwith the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second pricecategory.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein a variable ratio isestablished between the first price category and the second pricecategory.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein a constant ratio isestablished between the first price category and the second pricecategory.
 21. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving aguarantee of payment for the first progressive jackpot prize prior tothe lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guaranteeensuring that the first progressive jackpot prize will be paid even if aportion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price categoryallocated for prize payment is less than the first progressive jackpotprize at the time of prize payout.
 22. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second progressivejackpot prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the second pricecategory, the guarantee ensuring that the second progressive jackpotprize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales fromthe second price category allocated for prize payment is less than thesecond progressive jackpot prize at the time of prize payout.
 23. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the distribution of the first progressivejackpot prize is an intra-shared distribution of the first progressivejackpot prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket withthe winning lottery number that is purchased from the first pricecategory includes multiple players.
 24. The method of claim 23, whereinthe intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the firstprogressive jackpot prize.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein theintra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the firstprogressive jackpot prize such that a higher distribution is provided toa player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.
 26. The methodof claim 18, wherein the distribution of the second progressive jackpotprize is an intra-shared distribution of the second progressive jackpotprize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the second price categoryincludes multiple players.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein theintra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the secondprogressive jackpot prize.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein theintra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the secondprogressive jackpot prize such that a higher distribution is provided toa player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.
 29. A methodcomprising: establishing a first price category corresponding to a firstprogressive jackpot prize in a lottery game, the first progressivejackpot prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory; establishing a second price category corresponding to a secondprogressive jackpot prize in the lottery game such that a variable ratiois provided between the first price category and the second pricecategory, the second progressive jackpot prize being distinct from thefirst progressive jackpot prize, the second progressive jackpot prizebeing funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price categorywithout funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory; indicating a predetermined multiple such that a potentialprize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize is at leastthe predetermined multiple of a potential prize distribution of thefirst progressive jackpot prize; determining a winning lottery numberthat is utilized for both the first progressive jackpot prize and thesecond progressive jackpot prize; providing a distribution of the firstprogressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or moreplayers have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the first price category; and providing a distribution ofthe second progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the oneor more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery numberthat is purchased from the second price category.
 30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein a variable ratio is established between the firstprice category and the second price category.
 31. The method of claim29, wherein a constant ratio is established between the first pricecategory and the second price category.
 32. The method of claim 29,further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the firstprogressive jackpot prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from thefirst price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first progressivejackpot prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket salesfrom the first price category allocated for prize payment is less thanthe first progressive jackpot prize at the time of prize payout.
 33. Themethod of claim 29, further comprising receiving a guarantee of paymentfor the second progressive jackpot prize prior to the lottery ticketsales from the second price category, the guarantee ensuring that thesecond progressive jackpot prize will be paid even if a portion of thelottery ticket sales from the second price category allocated for prizepayment is less than the second progressive jackpot prize at the time ofprize payout.
 34. The method of claim 29, wherein the distribution ofthe first progressive jackpot prize is an intra-shared distribution ofthe first progressive jackpot prize if the one or more players having alottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased fromthe first price category includes multiple players.
 35. The method ofclaim 34, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distributionof the first progressive jackpot prize.
 36. The method of claim 34,wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of thefirst progressive jackpot prize such that a higher distribution isprovided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket. 37.The method of claim 29, wherein the distribution of the secondprogressive jackpot prize is an intra-shared distribution of the secondprogressive jackpot prize if the one or more players having a lotteryticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the secondprice category includes multiple players.
 38. The method of claim 37,wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of thesecond progressive jackpot prize.
 39. The method of claim 37, whereinthe intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the secondprogressive jackpot prize such that a higher distribution is provided toa player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.
 40. A methodcomprising: establishing a first price category corresponding to a firstfixed prize in a lottery game, the first fixed prize funded from lotteryticket sales from the first price category; establishing a second pricecategory corresponding to a second fixed prize in the lottery game, thesecond fixed prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from thesecond price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales fromthe first price category, the second fixed prize being greater in valuethan the first fixed prize; determining a winning lottery number that isutilized to determine both the distribution of the first fixed prize andthe distribution of the second fixed prize; and providing thedistribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one ormore players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number thatis purchased from the first price category; and providing thedistribution of the second prize to one or more players if the one ormore players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number thatis purchased from the second price category.
 41. The method of claim 40,wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price categoryand the second price category.
 42. The method of claim 40, wherein aconstant ratio is established between the first price category and thesecond price category.
 43. The method of claim 40, further comprisingreceiving a guarantee of payment for the first prize prior to thelottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guaranteeensuring that the first fixed prize will be paid even if a portion ofthe lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated forprize payment is less than the first fixed prize at the time of prizepayout.
 44. The method of claim 40, further comprising receiving aguarantee of payment for the second fixed prize prior to the lotteryticket sales from the second price category, the guarantee ensuring thatthe second fixed prize will be paid even if a portion of the lotteryticket sales from the second price category allocated for prize paymentis less than the second fixed prize at the time of prize payout.
 45. Themethod of claim 44, wherein the distribution of the first fixed prize isan intra-shared distribution of the first fixed prize if the one or moreplayers having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the first price category includes multiple players. 46.The method of claim 44, wherein the intra-shared distribution is anequal distribution of the first fixed prize.
 47. The method of claim 40,wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of thefirst fixed prize such that a higher distribution is provided to aplayer with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.
 48. The method ofclaim 47, wherein the distribution of the second prize is anintra-shared distribution of the second fixed prize if the one or moreplayers having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the second price category includes multiple players. 49.The method of claim 48, wherein the intra-shared distribution is anequal distribution of the second fixed prize.
 50. The method of claim48, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution ofthe second fixed prize such that a higher distribution is provided to aplayer with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.
 51. A methodcomprising: establishing a first price category corresponding to a firstprize in a lottery game, the first prize funded from lottery ticketsales from the first price category; establishing a second pricecategory corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game, the secondprize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the second pricecategory without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the firstprice category, the second prize being greater in value than the firstprize; determining a winning lottery number that is utilized todetermine both the distribution of the first prize and the distributionof the second prize; and providing the distribution of the first prizeto one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticketwith the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first pricecategory; and providing the distribution of the second prize to one ormore players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.52. The method of claim 51, wherein a variable ratio is establishedbetween the first price category and the second price category.
 53. Themethod of claim 51, wherein a constant ratio is established between thefirst price category and the second price category.
 54. The method ofclaim 51, wherein the first prize is a jackpot prize.
 55. The method ofclaim 51, wherein the second prize is a jackpot prize.
 56. The method ofclaim 51, wherein the first prize is a progressive prize.
 57. The methodof claim 51, wherein the second prize is a progressive prize.
 58. Themethod of claim 51, wherein the first prize is a fixed prize.
 59. Themethod of claim 51, wherein the second prize is a fixed prize.
 60. Themethod of claim 51, further comprising receiving a guarantee of paymentfor the first prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the firstprice category, the guarantee ensuring that the first prize will be paideven if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory allocated for prize payment is less than the first prize at thetime of prize payout.
 61. The method of claim 51, further comprisingreceiving a guarantee of payment for the second prize prior to thelottery ticket sales from the second price category, the guaranteeensuring that the second prize will be paid even if a portion of thelottery ticket sales from the second price category allocated for prizepayment is less than the second prize at the time of prize payout. 62.The method of claim 51, wherein the distribution of the first prize isan intra-shared distribution of the first prize if the one or moreplayers having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the first price category includes multiple players. 63.The method of claim 62, wherein the intra-shared distribution is anequal distribution of the first prize.
 64. The method of claim 62,wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of thefirst prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player withan earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.
 65. The method of claim 51,wherein the distribution of the second prize is an intra-shareddistribution of the second prize if the one or more players having alottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased fromthe second price category includes multiple players.
 66. The method ofclaim 65, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distributionof the second prize.
 67. The method of claim 65, wherein theintra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the second prizesuch that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlierpurchase of the lottery ticket.
 68. A method comprising: establishing afirst price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game,the first prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory; establishing a second price category corresponding to a secondprize in the lottery game, the second prize funded from lottery ticketssales from the second price category, the second prize not being fundedfrom lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the secondprize being greater in value than the first prize; determining a winninglottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution ofthe first fixed prize and the distribution of the second fixed prize;providing the distribution of the first prize to one or more playershaving a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the first price category, the distribution of the firstprize being an intra-shared distribution of the first prize if the oneor more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery numberthat is purchased from the first price category includes multipleplayers; and providing the distribution of the second prize to one ormore players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery numberthat is purchased from the second price category, the distribution ofthe second prize being an intra-shared distribution of the second prizeif the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winninglottery number that is purchased from the second price category includesmultiple players.
 69. The method of claim 68, wherein a variable ratiois established between the first price category and the second pricecategory.
 70. The method of claim 68, wherein a constant ratio isestablished between the first price category and the second pricecategory.
 71. The method of claim 68, wherein the first prize is ajackpot prize.
 72. The method of claim 68, wherein the second prize is ajackpot prize.
 73. The method of claim 68, wherein the first prize is aprogressive prize.
 74. The method of claim 68, wherein the second prizeis a progressive prize.
 75. The method of claim 68, wherein the firstprize is a fixed prize.
 76. The method of claim 68, wherein the secondprize is a fixed prize.
 77. The method of claim 68, further comprisingreceiving a guarantee of payment for the first prize prior to thelottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guaranteeensuring that the first prize will be paid even if a portion of thelottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prizepayment is less than the first prize at the time of prize payout. 78.The method of claim 68, further comprising receiving a guarantee ofpayment for the second prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from thesecond price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second prize willbe paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the secondprice category allocated for prize payment is less than the second prizeat the time of prize payout.
 79. A method comprising: establishing afirst price category corresponding to a first progressive jackpot prizein a lottery game, the first progressive jackpot prize funded fromlottery ticket sales from the first price category; establishing asecond price category corresponding to a second progressive jackpotprize in a lottery game such that a constant ratio is provided betweenthe first price category and the second price category, the secondprogressive jackpot prize funded from lottery ticket sales from thesecond price category, the second progressive jackpot prize beingdistinct from the first progressive jackpot prize; establishing a thirdprice category corresponding to a third progressive jackpot prize in thelottery game such that a variable ratio is provided between the secondprice category and the third price category, the third progressivejackpot prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the thirdprice category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from thesecond price category, the third progressive jackpot prize beingdistinct from the first progressive jackpot prize and the secondprogressive jackpot prize; determining a winning lottery number that isutilized for the first progressive jackpot prize, the second progressivejackpot prize, and the third progressive jackpot prize; providing adistribution of the first progressive jackpot prize to one or moreplayers if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category;providing a distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize to oneor more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket withthe winning lottery number that is purchased from the second pricecategory; and providing a distribution of the third progressive jackpotprize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lotteryticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the thirdprice category.
 80. The method of claim 79, further comprisingindicating a predetermined multiple such that a potential prizedistribution of the second progressive jackpot prize is at least thepredetermined multiple of a potential prize distribution of the firstprogressive jackpot prize.
 81. The method of claim 79, furthercomprising indicating a predetermined multiple such that a potentialprize distribution of the third progressive jackpot prize is at leastthe predetermined multiple of a potential prize distribution of thesecond progressive jackpot prize.
 82. The method of claim 79, furthercomprising indicating a predetermined multiple such that a potentialprize distribution of the third progressive jackpot prize is at leastthe predetermined multiple of a potential prize distribution of thefirst progressive jackpot prize.
 83. The method of claim 79, wherein avariable ratio is also provided between the second price category andthe third price category.
 84. A method comprising: establishing a firstprice category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game, thefirst prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory without funding from lottery ticket sales from a second pricecategory corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game;establishing the second price category, the second prize distinct fromthe first prize, the second prize being funded from lottery ticketssales from the second price category without funding from the lotteryticket sales from the first price category, the second prize beinggreater in value than the first prize; determining a winning lotterynumber that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the firstprize and the distribution of the second prize; and providing thedistribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one ormore players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number thatis purchased from the first price category; and providing thedistribution of the second prize to one or more players if the one ormore players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number thatis purchased from the second price category.
 85. The method of claim 84,wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price categoryand the second price category.
 86. The method of claim 84, wherein aconstant ratio is established between the first price category and thesecond price category.
 87. The method of claim 84, wherein the firstprize is a jackpot prize.
 88. The method of claim 84, wherein the secondprize is a jackpot prize.
 89. The method of claim 84, wherein the firstprize is a progressive prize.
 90. The method of claim 84, wherein thesecond prize is a progressive prize.
 91. The method of claim 84, whereinthe first prize is a fixed prize.
 92. The method of claim 84, whereinthe second prize is a fixed prize.
 93. The method of claim 84, furthercomprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first prize prior tothe lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guaranteeensuring that the first prize will be paid even if a portion of thelottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prizepayment is less than the first prize at the time of prize payout. 94.The method of claim 84, further comprising receiving a guarantee ofpayment for the second prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from thesecond price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second prize willbe paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the secondprice category allocated for prize payment is less than the second prizeat the time of prize payout.
 95. The method of claim 84, wherein thedistribution of the first prize is an intra-shared distribution of thefirst prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with thewinning lottery number that is purchased from the first price categoryincludes multiple players.
 96. The method of claim 95, wherein theintra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the first prize.97. The method of claim 95, wherein the intra-shared distribution is anunequal distribution of the first prize such that a higher distributionis provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.98. The method of claim 84, wherein the distribution of the second prizeis an intra-shared distribution of the second prize if the one or moreplayers having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the second price category includes multiple players. 99.The method of claim 98, wherein the intra-shared distribution is anequal distribution of the second prize.
 100. The method of claim 98,wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of thesecond prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a playerwith an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.
 101. A methodcomprising: establishing a first price category corresponding to a firstmain prize and a first secondary prize in a lottery game, the first mainprize and the first secondary prize being funded from lottery ticketsales from the first price category, the first main prize being greaterthan the first secondary prize; establishing a second price categorycorresponding to a second prize main prize and a second secondary prizein the lottery game, the second main prize and the second secondaryprize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the second pricecategory without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the firstprice category, the second main prize being greater in value than thesecond secondary prize, the second main prize being greater in valuethan the first main prize, the second secondary prize being greater invalue than the first secondary prize; determining a winning lotterynumber that is utilized to determine a distribution of the first mainprize, a distribution of the first secondary prize, a distribution ofthe second main prize, and a distribution of the second secondary prize;providing the distribution of the first main prize to one or moreplayers if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a fullmatch of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the firstprice category; providing the distribution of the first secondary prizeto one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticketwith a partial match of the winning lottery number that is purchasedfrom the first price category; providing the distribution of the secondmain prize to one or more players if the one or more players have alottery ticket with a full match of the winning lottery number that ispurchased from the second price category; and providing the distributionof the second secondary prize to one or more players if the one or moreplayers have a lottery ticket with a partial match of the winninglottery number that is purchased from the second price category. 102.The method of claim 101, wherein the first main prize is a pari-mutuelbased prize.
 103. The method of claim 101, wherein the first secondaryprize is a pari-mutuel based prize.
 104. The method of claim 101,wherein the second main prize is a pari-mutuel based prize.
 105. Themethod of claim 101, wherein the second secondary prize is a pari-mutuelbased prize.
 106. The method of claim 101, wherein the first main prizeis a fixed prize.
 107. The method of claim 101, wherein the firstsecondary prize is a fixed prize.
 108. The method of claim 101, whereinthe second main prize is a fixed prize.
 109. The method of claim 101,wherein the second secondary prize is a fixed prize.
 110. The method ofclaim 101, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for thefirst main prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory, the guarantee ensuring that the first main prize will be paideven if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first pricecategory allocated for prize payment is less than the first main prizeat the time of prize payout.
 111. The method of claim 101, furthercomprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first secondaryprize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category,the guarantee ensuring that the first secondary prize will be paid evenif a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price categoryallocated for prize payment is less than the first secondary prize atthe time of prize payout.
 112. The method of claim 101, furthercomprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second main prizeprior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, theguarantee ensuring that the second main prize will be paid even if aportion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price categoryallocated for prize payment is less than the second main prize at thetime of prize payout.
 113. The method of claim 101, further comprisingreceiving a guarantee of payment for the second secondary prize prior tothe lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guaranteeensuring that the second secondary prize will be paid even if a portionof the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated forprize payment is less than the second secondary prize at the time ofprize payout.